The new Sydney Fish Market has reached a major milestone with the final roof panel installed on top of the 200-meter-long floating canopy, forming the building’s crowning glory. The roof is arguably the market’s most iconic feature and is made up of 594 timber beams and 400 aluminium pyramidal cassettes, which give the roof its scaly appearance.

At a ceremony held at the site, NSW Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper, and NSW Regional Director Daniel Murphy at Multiplex celebrated the milestone. Speaking at the ceremony, Kamper said: “It is incredibly exciting to have reached this stage in the build and start work on finishes. We’re on the home stretch now and getting closer to being able to set foot in the new Sydney Fish Market, which will be an icon for Sydney and a destination for all.”

Balancing elegance and function

The sweeping timber and aluminium roof structure floats over the building, tying various programs together in a single elegant move, while reinforcing the building’s iconic presence along the harbor. The rippling structure is a response to the underlying functional requirements; it rises and falls in correspondence with the program below. Beyond design, the roof has four primary efficiency and sustainability attributes: shading, daylighting, ventilation, rainwater harvesting and the potential production of solar energy.

A hub for locals and tourists

This milestone marks a pivotal moment in the project, as the focus now shifts from structural work to internal finishes, bringing the building one step closer to construction completion. The new Sydney Fish Market will offer a vibrant mix of retail, dining, and community spaces, including fresh seafood market, restaurants, and a seafood school. The new market will create a dynamic hub for both locals and tourists, celebrating Sydney’s reputation as a global seafood destination.

Designed by 3XN Architects in association with BVN, the new Sydney Fish Market aims to establish a world-class ‘foodie’ destination. The project is key to the transformation of Blackwattle Bay, which will unlock a connected waterfront promenade from Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo, 1,100 homes on the old fish market site and more than 6,000 square meters of public space, improving pedestrian and cycling links.

All in all, the project seeks to set in place an exemplary example of integrating the public realm and contemporary market space that will become a landmark in Sydney’s unique harbor-based urban landscape. The new market will place people at the centre of the architectural response, with an emphasis on place-making to foster a strong sense of community at Blackwattle Bay.